DON'T GET DIPPED KEEP YOUR PURSE ZIPPED

Recent intelligence shows that purse dipping is on the increase in the Northumbria area with elderly individuals being the primary target.

Police believe the purse thieves are watching victims go into the Post Office, withdraw cash, and are then following them into the shops and discretely dipping into their bags or pockets and stealing purses.

ALWAYS close your bag

NEVER leave it unattended

DON'T count your money in public

CARRY your bag on your person

NEVER leave your bag on a shopping trolley

BEWARE of people in very close proximity to you

REMEMBER to report any suspicious behaviour ring 101, or 999 if a crime is happening

Please contact the NERCP should you need to report any incidents of purse dipping that have taken place in your stores. You can contact us on 0191 221 9347 or email info@nercp.org.uk